'The game can be very cruel and this was a clear example. It was a painful lesson for us,' he said. 'We let ourselves down in not being able to defend a set-play. We were well in control.'

Just Fab! Coloccini wheels away after bagging Newcastle's leveller

Wigan took what seemed a commanding a two-goal lead when it was 'Zog on the Tyne' time once again.

Only yesterday, the chorus once sang with gusto by a Toon Army celebrating the skills of Charles N'Zogbia got stuck in their throats.

He returned to his former club and struck twice in a minute. He climbed above James Perch and Mike Williamson to head his side into the lead.

A minute later his superb left-foot volley looked to have put the visitors well on the way to their first win at Newcastle.

N'Zogbia was the last signing by the late Sir Bobby Robson, who once said of the young Frenchman: 'He can go to the very top with the right coaching and motivation - I hope it is with Newcastle.'

After spending five years on Tyneside, he was sacrificed on the back of some disastrous assetstripping by United, who sold him to Wigan for £6million in January last year.

'N'Zogbia has been working extremely hard,' observed Martinez. 'Last season was very good for him and he's gone to a different level this season. I thought he was a real threat and was difficult to handle.

'He has real pace and real talent. I thought the second goal was outstanding.' Chris Hughton's men never gave up the battle, especially after substitute Shola Ameobi halved the Wigan advantage, stooping to head in a Jonas Gutierrez cross.

Time and opportunities were running out when Coloccini struck the equaliser. Hughton said: 'We showed great spirit and determination. We have great character.'